Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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One of America’s favorite snacks just became healthier with these air fryer mozzarella sticks. This recipe is so easy and full of delicious flavor. Makes a great snack or appetizer, and is perfect for happy hour or a game day party too!

Mozzarella sticks are one of those comforting appetizers that bring people together around a table. They are ooey gooey cheesy goodness. I have fond memories of meeting up with a group of friends at a chain restaurant and ordering a basket of mozzarella sticks to share. It was something everyone could agree on, and we all dug in. With a crunchy outside, and a warm melty inside dipped in your favorite sauce, mozzarella sticks are a classic American appetizer that are sure to please a crowd.

Not typically thought of as a healthy food, restaurant style, traditional mozzarella sticks are breaded and deep fried. These air fryer mozzarella sticks retain all that stretchy melty cheesiness we all love, but use whole wheat breadcrumbs, and no oil to create a crunchy breaded outer shell without the added fat and calories.

How To Make Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Recipe Ingredients and Notes

These gooey mozzarella sticks can easily be made with simple ingredients found at your local grocery store!

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Use any brand of mozzarella string cheese you like!

Whole Wheat Flour and Whole Wheat Panko Bread Crumbs: For the breading on these homemade mozzarella sticks. You can also use all purpose flour or almond flour if you don’t have whole wheat flour.

Dried Italian Seasoning, Salt and Pepper: For seasoning the breadcrumb mixture

Eggs and Olive Oil Spray: To help the breading stick to the cheese sticks!

Tools and Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Small Mixing Bowls
• Baking Sheet
• Aluminum Foil

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Freeze the uncooked mozzarella sticks, either still in their individual package or on a cookie sheet. Freeze until fully firm (about 3 hours) or you can also freeze overnight. Leave in the freezer until you’re ready to prepare.

Step 2: Pour the flour, panko breadcrumbs, and eggs into three separate bowls. Add pinch of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning into the breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking oil spray, set aside. Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in the flour making sure to thoroughly coat it on all sides.

Step 4: Then coat cheese sticks in the egg mixture, again making sure it’s completely coated.

Step 5: Next, dredge in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture and making sure to fully coat the entire cheese stick.

Step 6: Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet and continue until all of the cheese sticks have been breaded. Place the breaded mozzarella sticks in the freezer for 10 minutes, do not discard breading ingredients.

Step 7: After freezing for 10 minutes, make sure your air fryer is ready to go and that the basket is on the counter. Dip the frozen cheese sticks into the remaining egg wash a second time.

Step 8: Next, dip into the remaining bread crumb mixture and then lay inside the air fryer rack. (It’s not necessary to spray the battered cheese stick again with the oil spray, but you can if you’d like.)

Step 9: Continue until you have enough sticks to fit comfortably in the basket without overcrowding.

Step 10: Set air fryer to 390 F and 5 minutes. Cook the sticks for 5 minutes, flip and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Remove from air fryer and place on a serving dish.

Step 11: Continue air frying the remaining mozzarella sticks in different batches until all have been fried. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce or any other dipping sauce of choice.

What Makes These Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Healthy?

• Lower in Fat: These mozzarella sticks are lower in fat because they are fried in the air fryer without oil versus deep frying these sticks.
• Added Whole Grains: Most mozzarella sticks are breaded with white flour and breadcrumbs made from white bread. These mozzarella sticks are made with whole wheat panko breadcrumbs and whole wheat flour, making them higher in whole grains and less processed than traditional fried mozzarella sticks.
• High in Calcium: Mozzarella cheese sticks are naturally high in calcium. One stick has 15% of your recommended daily calcium.

Recipe FAQs

How to Serve

These mozzarella sticks pair well with a variety of dipping sauces. Give these sauce ideas a try!

• Homemade Marinara Sauce or Tomato Sauce
• Ranch Dressing
• Honey Dijon
• Ketchup
• Mustard

Expert Tips for Making Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

• Freeze mozzarella sticks prior to air frying
• After you bread the sticks the first time, freeze for at least 10 minutes before breading again.
• Make sure your air fryer is preheated and ready to go before adding mozzarella sticks.
• You can switch up the seasonings if you’d like! For a more “Mexican” inspired mozzarella stick, try using a mix of chili powder, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder (instead of the Italian Seasoning).
• Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, warm the oven or air fryer to 350 degrees and heat until warmed through.

Check-Out These Other Air Fryer Recipes!

• 25 Healthy Air Fryer Vegetables Recipes
• Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
• Air Fryer Yuca Fries
• Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
• Air Fryer Ravioli

If you have tried these Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!